Another story of one of the explorations in the summer of 2007 in Calabria, this time the story is carried on the dive RIGOLETTO.
The story was written by my friend and brother Buddy Mark (Maverick) ...
August 19, 2007 We
after two fantastic dives on Valfiorita in previous days, we go back once again on their way to Cannitello to explore a new wreck, the last in our holiday land Calabrese.
arrive to diving (a dive in the Blue) and find the great and the young Franco Xavier waiting for us.
Today it is the "Rigoletto."
We load all the equipment on the boat and jump south to Sicily, where, just outside the port of Messina, near the so-called Citadel, located the wreck of Rigoletto (the name appears on the prow emerging). Merchant ship sunk around 60 years, carrying cars and industrial vehicles. Today, the wreck is placed perpendicular to the waves, with the bow still emerging from the water. The structures of the ship, still in fairly good composition, are large and easily penetrable. Inside, still easily recognizable, are motor vehicles and parts mechanical and even the remains of what was to be a workshop on board. At about 36 meters, almost to show off as if, propeller and rudder. Arriving at the dive site
put on our equipment and we agree, given the lack of depth, for a bottom time of 60 ', we exchange a OK and it goes down, the group is always the same, I - MaxDT - Marco1966 and Black_ice.
We are now at the top of the wreck, the remains appear to the bridge, you enter very easily on the underside and immediately notice the load of equipment (they say are the mercedes '60) within the hold, and go on a quick tour to the bottom.
After a few meters, with a heavy heart, the small penetration must end, we decided to continue the descent from the outside along the left side of the ship. After few minutes we are on the bottom and admire the propeller and rudder in good condition, surrounded by clouds of Anthias. During the descent, we noticed a row of portholes, and we approached we noticed the rooms (to my delight), so from that moment on, the focus is solely on: find an entry ... ... ...
Going astern overlook a ' aperture in which notice of acetylene cylinders - they say the cause of the sinking was an explosion in this area - we still slowly rising, until I stop and I indicate the presence of Max at the door ... ... .... We look ... ... ... .. you go! Upon entering we immediately aware of being observed from inside the door on the way down, the water inside is very clear and we decided to inziò penetration, we head to the left, we immediately notice the small rooms ( seem berths) with beds inside. The environment is very broad but in some places the sediments are higher and every little movement can make them up causing a decrease in visibility in the wreck, we end our tour on the left side and decide to enter in a door right in front of the entrance ... ... ... .. and by the time we enter just me and Max, the restaurant has two rooms, the first we see a large basin with a lot of taps, in perfect condition , while the second seems there are showers.
We leave this environment and we find ourselves in the main corridor with the other two band members (Mark and Black). In the blink of an eye visibility drastically enough to not allow us to see each each other ... ... ... at this point the great Marco1966 takes the reel and it continues to penetrate with the help of the reel. We head to the right side and now we see that the visibility magnificent and went back into the darkness of the room witnessing the breathtaking spectacle of light coming from the row of portholes placed on our left, the unique emotions that only diving can offer, we arrive at the end of the room and we see another step that will lead to the engine room , an OK and go. The engine room is arranged on two floors and we immediately notice the perfect condition of all equipment that are part of it, gauges, valves, motors, various knobs, all seem to sit waiting to be activated! The dive
seems endless, but browsing through instruments we see that we are forced to go back after about 57 'dive. Reluctantly we head towards the deco stops, which will be a few minutes pass quickly. Out of the water and as always we look we see that the other divers on the boat are not printed in our face the same smile and eyes those beautiful images that have accompanied us, and only during their return to discover that the diving was great penetration made only by us.
Our vacation on earth Calabrese ends here, in 2 days we leave for the capital ... ... but we will stop at that of Castellammare di Stabia, the great Natalino the "Bikini Diving" for yet another dip on the Bank of St. Cross.
Our diving holiday will end on the Bank of St. Cross ... ... ... with a nice news to me (a girl ;-)) and a new motto: "The adventures never end ... ... .."
Maverick.
